HRP20040393A2 - Method and device for processing postal articles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a process for processing postal items, wherein the postal items are sorted through at least one automated sorting facility.

The invention further relates to a device suitable for performing the procedure.

The task of the invention is to achieve in the most reliable possible way the determination of postal items for which a sufficient charge amount has not been paid or for which the charge amount has not been paid at all.

According to the invention, this task is accomplished by performing an automated check whether the postal item contains the expected franking and by marking the implementation of the postal item check by applying a code to the postal item.

The payment security code is a label that contains information about the result of each performed check.

Basically any payment security codes can be used. It has been shown, however, that the use of two-digit collection insurance codes is suitable for registering all relevant collection insurance cases and for their integration in the further processing of postal items, especially during sorting.

The use of such a payment security code can also be used for further management of the process, for example for the targeted removal of postal items in case of suspected forgery or for directing to additional, mutually different, verification steps, depending on the payment security code. Furthermore, the application of the collection insurance code enables ensuring that the postal item has gone through the collection insurance procedure only once and/or that it has been registered only once in the postal items registration system.

In doing so, it is particularly useful to check whether the postal item is marked with a collection insurance code when processing postal items in the processing machine.

Efficient registration of all postal items, while avoiding double registration, can preferably be achieved by the fact that the data components on unmarked postal items can be registered in a data processing facility.

Such a processing step is, for example, rough sorting in the incoming or outgoing mail center.

The second processing step is, for example, fine sorting in the incoming or outgoing mail center.

Additional advantages, features and useful improvements of the invention derive from the subclaims and from the following representation of preferred embodiments of the invention.

The presented implementation forms of the procedure and implementation forms of the device enable the registration and use of data related to the postal shipment for the purpose of managing the process and performing process steps depending on the established data.

According to the invention, the billing insurance system registers all machine-readable postal items. When an uncoded postal item is coded during its passage through the machine, the data is saved in the payment security system. If a coded postal item enters the machine, then the data is registered only if the subsequent coding has been successful. Recognition of already existing coding is done by means of verification which, when checking at least one surface, determine whether the postal item contains a code.

A particularly suitable means of verification enables the expanded application of automation in postal centers to obtain more detailed information for each automatically processed postal item. The result of this is, on the one hand, an additional removal of postal items to "collection insurance sections". On the other hand, the data obtained from the reading and checking procedures in the machines for each automatically processed postal item is collected and stored for the processes.

A particularly important feature is the optimization of processes in postal centers and in all neighboring areas.

The invention enables the registration of information on numerous, and preferably all, possible methods of franking for postal items.

The verification of franking types can be performed in different verification steps that are adapted to a certain type of franking.

Verification of frankings made using Sender's Franking Machines (SPF) is preferably done as follows:

First, the franking type is identified and checked in the most automated way possible.

It is particularly useful that the identification and verification of the type of franking is carried out in a machine for reading addresses (SOA) or in an integrated machine for reading and encoding video (ISOV).

Postal items, which deviate from the expected pattern during the collection assurance procedure, generate a collection assurance warning. Such shipments are processed separately, they are mainly removed locally from the shipment processing circle to a suitable place. Removal in fine sorting machines is particularly suitable.

Disposing of mail items in a fine sorting machine has the advantage that in the fine sorting machine there are several sections for different removal of mail items. This enables the selective removal of postal items in different situations, for example for ten situations, which should be taken into account in the context of collection assurance.

In the case of examination of postal items containing franking made by the sender's franking machines, it is preferable to register all franking impressions.

A particularly useful local check of postal items franked by sender's franking machines is performed according to the criteria of the sorting machine program, especially retroactively, if necessary manually and based on the file with positives / negatives.

Checking postal items with digital franking marks enables a particularly efficient check of correct franking of postal items due to the large amount of information contained in digital franking marks.

Due to the preferred method of creating such digital franking marks in personal computers (PC), this method of franking is called PC-franking in the following text. The embodiments, however, also refer to other digital franking marks that can be produced using, for example, suitable printers for large series or franking machines equipped to print digital franking marks.

Another advantage of checking the authenticity of digital franking marks is the possibility of automated identification and verification of the type of franking.

First of all, the local removal of postal items is carried out in the sorting machine, especially in the fine sorting machine. In doing so, postal items that generate a payment assurance warning as part of the verification process are removed.

The further steps of the procedure take place essentially according to the previous example.

In order to ensure payment, the postal data of users who franked their postal items using PC-franking are collected and delivered in a summarized form. Data delivery, for example user data, files with positives and negatives and Postage Point, should be integrated into the franking application via the database. Here, the postal data is joined with the user's data.

The various verification procedures are executive forms of the processing process, which consists of the registration of an individual postal item, the final coding of the postal item depending on the results of the procedure steps for ensuring collection and, in case of need, the removal of postal items where there is a suspicion of violation of the prescribed requirements for franking.

A particularly useful embodiment of the invention is characterized by the fact that in the billing insurance system, each postal item is read only once, in order to prevent double registration of postal data.

Taking into account the desired processing workflows, the following processes are defined for machine-read and machine-processed postal items:

• When an unencoded postal item with franking type "sender's franking machine (SFK)" or "PC-franking (PCF)" is coded as part of machine processing, data for the collection insurance system is registered.

• When a coded piece of mail enters the machine, it is not registered for the billing insurance system (unless successful subsequent coding has been done).

• Recognition of already existing coding is ensured by available technical solutions.

• Special rules apply in case of linear code scanning.

In the operating mode "SLK off" (linear code scanning off), no coding is performed. The franking mark is still read, evaluated, and the result registered for the collection insurance system. In this case, mail items that generate an Insurance Collection Alert can be removed to the coarse sorting section of the SOA.

The processing of postal items in postal centers is presented below. In essence, the processing of postal items suitable for all postal centers is presented.

The initial processing of a postal item in a mail sorting facility, especially in an address reading machine integrated into such a facility, results in registration in the collection insurance system. The coding depends on the destination information and on the possibility of machine reading. Bulk shipments in the reject section of the address reader do not register it, for example, for billing insurance information. Finally, the processing is done again in an integrated video encoder (ISOV) or a video encoder (SVK). At the end of processing in the integrated reading and video coding machine or in the video coding machine, the volume shipment in the reject section in this embodiment is not registered in the outgoing mail center (OPC) for the collection assurance system.

Mail items in the reject section of an integrated reader and video encoder or a video encoder after the last processing flow go to the remaining manual sorting facility.

Postage with a collection assurance warning, which has been returned to the normal mail processing sequence, preferably in an address reading machine or an integrated reading and video encoding machine is sorted by the fine sorting machine (SFR) sorting program. Preferably, this is done by having address reading machines and fine sorting machines, i.e. integrated reading and video encoding machines, operate in a special operating mode that restricts sorting according to the billing assurance code contained in the code ("billing assurance (ON) off").

It is also useful that in fine sorting machines (SFR), which are equipped with compartments for removing postal items with collection security features, the "collection security (ON) off" function is provided.

Processing of unencoded postal items using

• residual manual sorting (PRR)

• E+1 COOP of postal items (LR-presorting)

• postal items for address reading machines or integrated reading and video coding machines (incoming mail center – DPC)

with the help of address reading machines or integrated reading and video-encoding machines in the inbound mail center results in registration in the inbound mail center billing insurance system, as long as they are coded. Coding depends on destination information and machine readability.

The decision as to whether a piece of mail is coded or uncoded is made by a bar code pre-reader integrated into the sorting facility.

It is particularly useful that already coded postal items are not re-registered in the collection insurance system and at the same time it is ensured that all non-encoded postal items are (retroactively) registered if possible.

It is useful to ensure that any billing assurance warnings that become necessary when encoding at the incoming mail center are encoded with codes for T1 and T2 positions that are different from the encoding at the outgoing mail center. It is useful to provide an "ensure collection (ON) off" function for sorting and coding aggregates in the incoming mail center as well.

Bulk shipments in the rejects section of the sorting facility are not registered for the collection assurance system and are transferred to the remaining manual sorting facility in the inbound mail center (DPC).

For a volume shipment that was processed in the outgoing postal center (OPC) without scanning the linear code and thus was already registered for the collection registration system in the outgoing postal center, it is valid that the work processing in the incoming postal center may only be performed in the facility for remaining sorting or with the help of the sorting program "DPC SLK off", because otherwise, due to the absence of a leading code, re-registration in the system for additional information on postal items (DIPP) and coding in the incoming mail center would be done.

Bulk mail from the "linear code scanning off" program at the outgoing mail center must arrive at the incoming mail center in appropriately marked postal containers (PSprem) so that they can be distinguished from mail items registered at the incoming mail center from the sorting facility. The "DPC SLK Off" sorting program would prevent double registration for the Postal Supplementary Information System, as in that case registration with the Postal Supplementary Information System would be disabled.

The verification steps presented below are particularly suitable for performing individual verification methods.

Mail items are brought to a sorting facility unit, such as a coding machine, so that they can be read. The barcode pre-reader checks whether the postal item contains a complete barcode. Mail items with a complete bar code enter the normal round of mail processing and are not registered in the system for additional information about postal items. For all other postal items, the image of each item of mail is forwarded to the Image Management Module (MUS) and to the attached sender's franking machine and 2-D bar code reading unit. The image management module and the reading unit check the displayed image. If it is a postal item with an imprint of the sender's franking machine (SPF), then the identification and franking mark of the sender's franking machine are read.

If the imprint of the sender's franking machine or some of its parts cannot be read, then a collection security warning will be automatically coded and the postal item will be removed to the fine sorting machine, to the collection security sections "SPF identification not readable" or "SPF - the franking mark is not legible". If the stamp of the sender's franking machine (SPF-identification and SPF-franking mark) was read, then it will be checked whether the identification of the sender's franking machine is registered in the file with negatives or in the file with positives and/or whether the postal item has insufficient postage .

If the identification of the sender's franking machine is in the file with negatives, then a collection security warning will be coded and the postal item will be removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection security section "SPF-file with negatives".

If the identification of the sender's franking machine is not in the file with negatives, then it will be checked whether it is in the file with positives. If the sender's franking machine ID is not in the positives file, then a collection assurance warning will be coded to the mail item and the mail item will be removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection assurance section “SPF not in positives file”.

If the identification of the sender's franking machine is in the positives file, then the postage amount is checked. If the postal item has insufficient postage, then a collection insurance warning will be coded on the postal item and the postal item will be removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection insurance section “SPF insufficient postage”.

If the sender's franking machine ID is not in the negatives file, but in the positives file, and there is sufficient postage, then the mail item is coded without a chargeback warning and forwarded to the normal mail processing cycle.

Preferably, all postal items that are identified as coming from the sender's franking machine are registered in the local database, and the identification with the associated franking is registered. These data are submitted for the purpose of evaluation and creation of a local production report.

In the local billing insurance system, the production report is prepared daily and is supplemented with the results of post-processing of postal items, for example the local database, with the following content:

1. Timeline (assessment after the start or end of the shift with a time gap of at least 15 minutes)

2. Fine sorting machine (machine data)

3. Number of postal items per case of payment insurance (per machine / after processing)

4. Number of postal items per collection insurance section (per machine / after processing)

5. Payment security codes

6. Additional information:

• Postal center number

• Date of issue

• Start and end of registration (time on the clock)

The transfer of local reports to the central database (the central system for additional information on postal items) is carried out every working day after the completion of distribution and the entry of supplementary items.

In the central unit for ensuring collection, for example in the central database, the associated data from several processing centers is basically stored and for each identification of the sender's franking machine, a production report on the user is compiled with the following content:

1. Time axis, for example based on the processing cycle in the postal center

2. Identification of the sender's franking machine

3. Information about the user (unique user and product number (JKP), first and last name, address) - this information is provided by the franking database

4. Data for franking, including the number of subsequent processing per amount to ensure collection

5. If necessary, cases of collection insurance and data for removal, including subsequent processing

6. Presentation of volume shipment and production, including post-processing

Data from the customer production report is passed to the franking database to create the account production report.

For each identification of the sender's franking machine, the franking database automatically summarizes its own data and data transmitted from the central system for additional information on postal items every working day:

• cumulatively spent amount of postage

• cumulative amount of paid value cards / value charges.

According to a fixed schedule, the franking database compares the sum of printed amounts and the sum of paid value cards / value charges for each identification of the sender's franking machine that was read in the specified reporting period. If the results of the comparison of the read and billed amounts exceed certain established threshold values, then the franking database automatically exports the data of the respective machine identification for the sender's franking in a "warning file", which is evaluated and further processed.

In addition, associated customer information is entered into a negatives file so that it can be updated daily and forwarded to the local billing assurance system via the central billing assurance system.

Mail items, which appear to contain a digital franking mark (PC-F), are fed to an advanced color recognition device (NUPB). The advanced color recognition device analyzes the front side of the postal item and tries to recognize the known type of franking (SPF, PC-franking, etc.) by comparing patterns.

If PC-franking is recognized as the franking method, the postal item is placed in section 1 or 2 so that it can be read for further processing in coding machines.

Mail items are passed to a coding machine so they can be read. The barcode pre-reader checks whether the postal item contains a complete barcode.

Mail items with a complete bar code enter the normal round of mail processing and are not registered in the system for additional information about postal items. For all other postal items, the image of each item of mail is forwarded to the central image management module (MUS) and to the attached sender's franking machine and 2-D bar code reading unit. The image management module and the reading unit check the displayed image. If it is a postal item with PC-franking, then the 2-D bar code is read.

If the 2-D barcode cannot be read, then a collection assurance warning will automatically be coded and the mail item will be removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection assurance section “PC-F file with negatives / barcode not readable”.

If the 2-D bar code is read, after decrypting the crypto-string, the following verification procedures are performed:

• checking the PC franking version

• Postage-ID verification

• comparison of license number and file with negatives

• hash-value comparison

• date verification in 2-D barcode

• checking the minimum postage

If the PC-franking version is invalid, then a payment assurance warning is coded and the postal item is removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection assurance section "PC-F version / date / insufficient postage".

If the PC-franking version is valid, then the Postage-ID is checked. If the Postage-ID is invalid, then a collection assurance warning is coded on the postal item and the postal item is removed to the fine sorting machine, to the “PC-F Suspect Forgery” collection assurance section.

If the Postage-ID is valid, it is automatically compared with the negative file. If the Postage-ID is in the negatives file, then a collection assurance warning is encoded on the mail item and the mail item is removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection assurance section “PC-F file with negatives / bar code not readable”.

If the license number is not in the file with negatives, the hash value is compared. If the hash value is not correct, a collection assurance warning is coded to the mail item and the mail item is removed to the fine sorting machine, to the collection assurance section “PC-F Suspect Forgery”.

If the hash value is correct, then the date in the 2-D barcode is checked. If the date in the 2-D barcode differs by more than one day from the actual date, then a collection assurance warning is encoded on the mail piece and the mail piece is removed to the fine sorting machine, to the collection assurance section “PC-F version / date / insufficient postage”.

If the date in the 2-D barcode is valid, then the lowest postage is checked. If the postal item contains insufficient postage, then a collection assurance warning is coded on the postal item and the postal item is removed to the fine sorting machine, in the collection assurance section “PC-F version / date / insufficient postage”.

The system recognizes the postage amount from the bar code and compares it with the saved values.

If the 2-D bar code could be read with the postal item franked by PC-franking, if the PC-franking version and Postage-ID are valid and there are no items in the file with negatives, if the hash-value and date are valid and the postage is sufficient, then the postal item is coded without a payment assurance warning and enters the normal round of mail processing.

Mail items where the Postage-ID is invalid or the hash-value comparison is not correct by manual reading and checking with a hand-held scanner are justifiably removed. Postal shipments are removed from the shipment processing circuit for the purpose of recording.

Mail items where it is confirmed by manual reading and hand scanner check that the mail item contains insufficient postage are returned to the sender or receive additional postage and are shipped to the recipient.

Postal items where the Postage-ID is confirmed to be in the file with negatives by manual reading and checking with a hand scanner are removed from the round of processing the items.

Preferably, all postal items identified as PC-F are recorded and registered in a local database. These data are submitted for the purpose of evaluation and issuance of a local production report.

In the local collection assurance unit, which is specially equipped with a local database (a local system for additional information on postal items), automatically, for example daily, a person who checks compliance with the general terms and conditions creates a production report that is supplemented by the results of post-processing of postal items , with the following content:

1. Timeline (assessment after the start or end of the shift with a time gap of at least 15 minutes)

2. Fine sorting machine (machine data)

3. Number of postal items per case of payment insurance (per machine / after processing)

4. Number of postal items per collection insurance section (per machine / after processing)

5. Payment security codes

6. Additional information:

• Postal center number

• Date of issue

• Start and end of registration (time on the clock)

The transmission of local reports to the central system for additional information on postal items is preferably done every working day after the completion of distribution and after entering supplementary items.

In the central unit for ensuring collection, which preferably cooperates with the central database, the associated data from several processing centers is basically stored and for each license number a production report on the user is compiled with the following content:

7. Time axis (= postal center day)

8. License number

9. Information about the user (JKP-number, name and surname, address) - this information is provided by the franking database

10. Data for franking, including the number of subsequent processing per amount to ensure collection

11. If necessary, cases of collection insurance and data for removal, including subsequent processing

12. Presentation of volume shipment and production, including subsequent processing

In order to be able to create a production report on postage amounts in the franking database, the spent postage amounts calculated on the basis of the Postage Point usage profile are forwarded to the database and collected there. The time intervals depend on when the user last had contact with Postage Point (every three months at the latest).

After the last requested postage amount of each individual user has been transferred from Postage Point to the franking database and after production reports for each user sorted by license number become available, then in the franking database, sorted by license number, it is automatically created daily updated production report on postal amounts, with the following content:

1. License number

2. Cumulative amount of postage for all postal items registered in the production report on the user (production value)

3. The amount of postage spent is calculated based on the usage profile

4. Amount of postage from Postage Point

It is desirable to compare the cumulative amount of postage for all postal items registered in the production report with the amount of postage from Postage Point every day for each user and to save the results. If, according to the report, the production value already exceeds the amount of postage, then the franking database automatically exports the user's data to the "warning file". In addition, customer information is entered into a negatives file so that this file can be updated daily and transmitted through the central collection assurance system - the central postal supplementary information system - to the local collection assurance system - the local postal supplementary information system shipments.

A local screening facility is available to process discarded mail. The local inspection facility consists of a data logger unit, a graphics display unit, one or more input units, a scanner and, optionally, additional auxiliaries such as a label printer and postal scale.

This device can be applied individually in close proximity to the alignment and grading machines. The delivery of data, i.e. the network, is done through the existing interfaces (indicator lights) in production.

Processing programs that are modularly adapted to franking methods (for example sender's franking machines and PC-franking) support the registration, evaluation and documentation of read franking methods.

Connected handheld scanners (wireless / wired) provide information for characteristics, as well as for deciphering the 2-D bar code with the support of a crypto-server.

The postal scale is used to check the billing amount, the (planned) label printer allows you to create labels for the return of postal items or print labels for collecting additional postage.

The presented embodiments should be understood exclusively as examples.

The presented method for processing postal items and the presented device can have a large number of different embodiments in order to achieve different functions.

The application of payment security codes in all implementation forms enables effective protection of the postal service provider from abuse and links such protection with the comprehensive data protection of users of that postal service provider, at the same time ensuring full compliance with postal discretion requirements.

List of abbreviations

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Claims (16)

1. Procedure for processing postal items, whereby the postal items are sorted through at least one automated sorting facility, whereby an automated check is performed to determine whether the postal item contains the expected franking, and where the implementation of the postal item check is marked by applying a code to the postal item , characterized by the fact that when processing a postal item in the processing machine, it is checked whether the postal item is marked with a collection insurance code and that the presence of a collection insurance code is checked on the postal item, as well as the application of the collection insurance code, in the event that the postal item is not marked with a collection insurance code , performed in the same processing machine. 2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that data components on unmarked postal items are registered in a data processing facility. 3. Process for processing according to one or more of the previous requirements, characterized in that one processing step consists of rough sorting in the incoming mail center and in the outgoing mail center. 4. Procedure according to one or more of the previous requirements, characterized by the fact that one processing step consists of fine sorting in the incoming mail center and in the outgoing mail center. 5. The procedure according to one or more of the preceding requirements, characterized by the fact that the automated procedure for determining whether the postal item contains the expected franking consists of a processing step in which it is checked whether the postal item contains a certain method of franking. 6. Device for processing postal items, which consists of a facility for registering information that is on at least one surface of postal items, characterized by the fact that it contains the ability to check the existence of a payment security code. 7. The device according to Claim 6, characterized by the fact that it contains at least one option for processing the postal item depending on the mark on it, which indicates that payment insurance has been carried out. 8. A collection assurance system, consisting of several devices for processing postal items, wherein the devices for processing postal items are individually connected to a facility for registering information located on at least one surface of the postal items, wherein at least some of these devices have the possibility to check the existence of a payment security code, characterized by the fact that it includes different postal centers, where some of these postal centers are equipped as outgoing postal centers for the rough sorting of postal items for incoming postal centers and where the system consists of several incoming postal centers , and by the fact that the incoming postal centers as well as the outgoing postal centers are equipped with devices for processing postal items, which have the possibility to check the existence of the payment security code. 9. The system according to Claim 8, characterized by the fact that essentially all devices for processing postal items, which make up a facility for registering information that is on at least one surface of postal items, are equipped with the possibility to check the existence of a payment security code. 10. A system with the possibility of comparison, which enables the comparison of the cumulative amounts of postage spent for all postal items franked by the sender of a user with the cumulative amounts of paid value cards and value charges, characterized by the fact that the database for FRANKING for each user at predetermined time intervals, for example, every working day, it automatically (for each identification of the sender's franking machine) compiles its own data as well as the data forwarded by the central collection assurance unit, mainly • cumulative amount of postage spent (sale of all amounts of postage on machine-processed postal items of the user in question) and • cumulative amount of all paid value cards / value charges. 11. System according to Claim 10, characterized by the fact that in the production report on the account, the sum of the amount of frankings made and the sum of paid value cards / value charges for each machine identification for the sender's franking that was read within a certain reporting period are compared and the difference is determined. 12. A system according to one or both of Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that, in the event that the limit value of the amount difference to be defined is exceeded, the corresponding machine identification data for the sender's franking is automatically exported to a "warning file" and/or in that an automatic warning notice is issued and evaluation, further processing, and comparison result storage are performed for each sender's franking machine identification as well as entry of the sender's franking machine identification in the negatives file. 13. A system according to one or more of Claims 8 to 12, characterized by the fact that it contains a user-related comparison of sales of all registered postal items franked by PC-franking and the amount of postage from Postage Point. 14. The system according to Request 17, characterized by the fact that the database for FRANKING for each user at predetermined time intervals, for example every working day, automatically compiles its own data (for each license number) as well as the data forwarded by the central unit for collection assurance, mainly • cumulative amount of postage spent (sale of all amounts of postage on machine-processed postal items of the user in question) and • amount of postage from Postage Point. 15. System according to one or both of Claims 13 and 14, characterized by the fact that in the production report on the amount of postage, the cumulative amount of postage of all registered postal items (production value) and the amount of postage from the Postage Point are compared daily and the difference is determined. 16. A system according to one or more of Claims 13 to 15, characterized by the fact that it contains an option that checks whether the production value exceeds the amount of postage, and that, in the event that the production value exceeds the amount of postage, a warning notice is automatically issued and an assessment is performed, further processing, storing the comparison results for each license number as well as entering user data into a file with negatives, so that this data can be updated and forwarded from the central collection assurance unit to the local collection assurance unit at predetermined time intervals.